Sunday, Erika and I became parents again, this time to a little green iguana. It will be a few years before we find out if it is a he or she but I decided to name it Aztec. I don't think that's a very feminine name, so hopefully it is a boy.

We have worked to make sure its living environment is perfect in every way, but this hasn't come without worries and stress. Perhaps I feel partially responsible for my previous iguana's death and want everything to be correct. Just the position of the light was a thoroughly researched and discussed issue last night as Aztec climbed up to the top of the cage to bask.

Aztec hadn't eaten anything (as far as we could tell) today. It looked like he hung out up near the light all day, so after dinner we tried to get him to eat something. We took him out of the cage and he squirmed a little, but eventually calmed down. I think he was just scared. After several minutes of trying to feed him by hand, I returned him to the cage, but sat him down in front of the food dish. He just stood there for a few minutes and grabbed a piece of food which lead to another piece of food and then another. And just like a parent, I was delighted the little guy ate. Although he shouldn't eat that late because it hinders digestion, I didn't mind.

I think the activity tired him out. He sprawled out and went to sleep soon after eating. We ended up turning out his lights early because he fell asleep under his branch. Here are a couple of pictures that Erika took yesterday after we brought him home.